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My grandmother used to say, "You cannot run barefoot until you see the first butterly." Each day we would watch, then joyfully run to her when we finally spotted one. They were usually little delicate white or yellow butterflies.

I wonder now if that was her way of taking something the children desired and turning it into an opportunity. You see, those little butterflies are cabbage butterflies, and from them come cabbage worms. Those worms will ruin a cabbage, broccolo or/(AND!) cauliflower crop almost overnight. They are difficult to spot too, so picking them off is a mighty chore! With these culprits, an ounce of prevention truly is worth a pound of cure.

With so many young eager eyes on the lookout, she was sure to be warned before the butterflies decended on her garden to lay their eggs. After kicking off our shoes, we'd all run down to the garden and watch her dust.

Visit our Good Bug vs. Bad Bug! page to learn more about identifying and fending off pests.